The Boy Scouts of America is an organization committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. Through the efforts of almost 1.2 million dedicated volunteers and the support of religious and community organizations, the BSA reached more than 2.8 million youth in 2007 with its traditional program of citizenship, mental and physical fitness, and character development.

Varsity Scouting is an active, exciting, year-round program for young men age 14 through 17 emphasizing advancement, high-adventure, personal development, service, and special programs and events. Varsity Scout resources include Varsity Scout Advancement, Varsity Letter, and Denali Award and well as the Boy Scout programs Varsity Scout enjoy.

Venturing is a year-round program for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade through 20 years of age to provide positive experiences through exciting and meaningful youth-run activities that help them pursue their special interests, grow by teaching others, and develop leadership skills. Venturing information includes Bronze Awards, Gold Award, Silver Award, Quest Award, TRUST Award, and the Ranger Award.

Sea Scouts is a specialized segment of the Venturing program, which was organized to address members' boating skills and promote knowledge of our maritime heritage. Swimming, lifesaving, first aid, Coast Guard Auxiliary Sailing and Seamanship, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation courses are taught with the ship by its officers. Rank resources include: Apprentice, Ordinary, Able, and Quartermaster Award.

MeritBadge.Org has a wealth of merit badge resources. Check out the worksheets and links on the Merit Badge Worksheets page. Did you ever wonder how many Scouts have earned Leatherwork Merit Badge? What is the most popolar? What is the most rare? The answers are at Merit Badges Earned.

Local Councils

Each unit is supported by a BSA local council, a nonprofit corporation. The local council does not provide service directly to individual boys. Rather, it offers a program to chartered organizations that operate Cub Scout packs, providing a number of common resources for all packs in a specific geographic area. In some areas, councils divide their territory into districts, which provide direct-to-unit service to a smaller number of units.

Chartered Organizations

Community-based organizations receive national charters to use the Scouting program as a part of their own youth work. These groups, which have goals compatible with those of the BSA, include religious, educational, civic, fraternal, business, and labor organizations; governmental bodies; corporations; professional associations; and citizens' groups.

Volunteer Leaders

Volunteer Leaders serve at all levels of Scouting in more than 300 local councils, 28 areas, and four regions, and nationally with volunteer executive boards and committees providing guidance. There are a number of Scouter Awards available for adult leaders.

Each autonomous local council is chartered by the BSA, which provides program and training aids along the guidelines established by the National Executive Board and the national charter from Congress.

Financial Support

The National Council is supported largely through annual registration fees paid by all members, charter and service fees paid by local councils, sales of magazines and Scouting equipment, bequests, and special gifts. Local councils are supported by communities through an annual Friends of Scouting campaign, the United Way, special events, foundation grants, investment income, bequests, endowment gifts, and special contributions.